Watchmen: Titus Welliver Says Rorschach Voice Acting Went Against Everything He Was Taught in Drama School

Watchmen: Titus Welliver Says Rorschach Voice Acting Went Against Everything He Was Taught in Drama School

As a die-hard fan of both the graphic novel and the groundbreaking HBO series “Watchmen”, I must say that Titus Welliver‘s portrayal of Rorschach in the animated adaptation, “Watchmen Chapter I”, is nothing short of phenomenal. His gravelly, gruff voice, reminiscent of Mercedes McCambridge’s iconic performance as Pazuzu in “The Exorcist”, brings a chilling authenticity to the character that I never thought was possible outside of Jackie Earle Haley’s performance in the 2009 film adaptation.


Titus Welliver, known for his roles in Bosch and Titans, takes on the character of Rorschach in the freshly animated Watchmen Chapter I. The film aims to accurately adapt the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. In discussions with ComicBook about the project, the actor mentioned that finding Rorschach’s voice was difficult, and going as deep and gravelly as he did went against his training. Drawing inspiration from Mercedes McCambridge’s performance in The Exorcist, Welliver admitted that he might damage his voice if he recorded for more than a few hours at a time.

Apart from Katee Sackhoff, he too voiced his appreciation for the movie version of “Watchmen”. He particularly admired Jackie Earle Haley’s portrayal of Rorschach, stating that Haley served as an inspiration for how he brought the character to life.

“Welliver shared that Mercedes McCambridge, who played the voice of Pazuzu in The Exorcist, was a heavy smoker and consumed raw eggs among other things, making her performance challenging. Despite his deep voice, Welliver mentioned that this method wasn’t something taught in drama school and was actually harmful to the voice. He could only record for a few hours at a time, but found it enjoyable. Finding the right balance between honoring McCambridge’s original portrayal of Jackie and making it his own was an intriguing challenge, which ultimately led to a satisfying discovery.”

What is Watchmen about?

In an altered timeline where superheroes have played significant roles, the once-admired “masked crusaders” are now outlawed due to society’s disillusionment with vigilantism. In the year 1985, the murder of The Comedian, a former hero turned government agent, catches the eye of Rorschach, the last remaining renegade vigilante. Rorschach’s investigation sets in motion a chain of events that brings his retired comrades, including Nite Owl, Silk Spectre, Dr. Manhattan, and Ozymandias, into conflict with their past, with each other, and in a mystery that endangers not only their lives but also the peace of a world on the verge of war.

As a longtime fan of graphic novels and superhero stories, I can confidently say that I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of Watchmen Chapter 1. Having grown up in the ’80s, I remember the original comic book series making waves with its complex narrative and thought-provoking themes. Now, as a busy adult, I appreciate being able to watch high-quality adaptations of my favorite stories without having to leave the comfort of my own home. That’s why I’m thrilled that Watchmen Chapter 1 is now available on digital Video On Demand platforms, and I can’t wait to dive back into this fascinating world. For those who share my enthusiasm, mark your calendars for August 27th, when it will also be released on Blu-ray.

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2024-08-15 19:41